Rela told to steel themselves for flood relief duties

KUALA LUMPUR - Caretaker home minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin wants the Volunteer Department (Rela) to steel themselves for any untoward incidents in the coming flood season which is forecast to begin next month.

“As reported by Malaysia Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), monsoon season will begin from November until March where we will face natural disasters and floods.

“I hope Rela will get ready to give their best,” he said.

Among the incidents which Rela officers should bear in mind, Hamzah reminded, were the massive floods in Taman Sri Muda and Batu 18 that occured in Selangor last year.

As such, Rela director-general Datuk Yahya Sulaiman announced that more officers would be deployed depending on the severity of the coming flood -- should it ever to occur.

According to Yahya, the department usually allocates 4,300 officers during flood season throughout the whole nation.

“Starting from October 15, we have been observing the identified hotspots. If the water level increases, we will advise the nearby residents to take safety measures.

“We also have ordered state and district Rela officers to cooperate with the police in respective state to ease the delegation of duties.

“We will also cooperate with the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and other relevant government agencies," said Yahya.